Political Party
"Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber." -Plato.
Quote of the Week
"The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy." -John JayReader Feedback!
Kaitlin, I just wanted to say that I think you're doing a brilliant job with this page!
I loved the update this week. I've always been curious about how juries are selected, and what the process is. I can't wait to read more.
I loved the update this week. I've always been curious about how juries are selected, and what the process is. I can't wait to read more.
The Trial
After the jury is selected, the trial begins! The first thing that happens is the lawyers from both sides present basic information about the case. They give as many details as they want, and usually try to persuade the jury in some way that their version of the story is the correct version. While it is the jury's job to listen, none of this information is evidence, and cannot be used by the jury to make any decision about the case. These presentations by the lawyers are called "opening arguments."
Next, the witnesses are called. Each witness is sworn in before it is their turn to answer questions, and sits in the witness box, next to the judge. Each lawyer gets the chance to ask questions of each witness regarding anything to do with the case, or information that may be important. Documents are often presented to the witnesses in order to prove points, or to refresh the memory of the witness. Any document that is submitted into evidence, and everything that each witness says on the stand is considered "evidence" and may be used by the jury in determining the outcome of the case. (I'm sure many of you have seen courtroom dramas on television - it is quite similar, but not always as glamorous or dramatic!)
After the lawyers are done asking questions of all witnesses, they each present their closing arguments. Again, these arguments are meant to try and persuade the jury to believe one side over the other. Just like opening arguments, these may not be used when deciding the outcome of the case. Once closing arguments are complete, the judge reads the jury the law regarding what the case is about. This is to help the jury when they are making decisions. The judge also tells the jury what information may or may not be used when discussing the case. The jury then begins the process of "deliberation."
For deliberation, the jury is sent to the "Jury Room." They may only talk about the case in this room, and only when all members of the jury are present. Upon entering the room, the police officer in charge of the jury (called the "bailiff") gives the jury some basic information regarding the process of deliberation. For example, the jury may not speak to the bailiff, but if they want a break or need to see a piece of evidence, they may write a note to the bailiff and he will take it to the judge who then takes care of it.
Before he leaves, the bailiff gives the jury an important document, which is basically a worksheet. The worksheet contains a list of questions regarding the case, to which the jury must answer "Yes" or "No." The questions must be answered in numerical order, but once the jury decides that any answer to a question is "No," then they must stop filling out the worksheet.
Once they are alone, the jury must elect a "Jury Foreperson." This person is the moderator for discussions that the jury has, and is responsible for reading the answers that the jury decides upon to the judge. The term "deliberation" comes into play because often, the jury will not agree on answers to the questions. There is a lot of arguing among the jury, as some members try to persuade others to their way of thinking. When serving on a jury though, it is imperative that you answer as you feel is appropriate. You might be the only one with that opinion, but if you feel it is right, then you should not give in! Of course, if you are truly convinced that you were wrong, then there is no shame in changing your mind.
After the jury has reached a verdict, the foreperson writes a note to the bailiff to inform him of that fact. Then, the judge calls the jury back into the courtroom. The judge has the foreperson read each question, and the jury's answer to it. When the answer to any question is "No," then the jury's job is done! The judge has each member of the jury attest to the fact that the information presented by the foreperson is indeed their group decision, and then thanks the jury. (The judge later makes a decision regarding sentencing of parties involved in the trial based on the jury's decisions.)
What doesn't always come across in television courtroom dramas is how much time the jury spends sitting around waiting! We arrived at about 8:30 each morning, and sometimes did not start work on the trial until 10 or 10:30! As I mentioned last time, judges are very busy people, but it did get quite boring just sitting! Luckily, I had books and puzzles to work on that I brought from home. =) Then, around 12:30, we got an hour and a half off for lunch. When we came back in the afternoon, sometimes we started right away, and sometimes we waited for an hour! We went home each day at 4:30.
Our trial lasted from Monday afternoon until Wednesday evening, and we returned to the courthouse on Thursday for deliberation. It took us about an hour and a half to reach a decision, and did in fact involve a lot of debate. We read through the questions on the worksheet, and were split 50/50 on the first question! We continued to read through the questions anyway, and made an easily unanimous decision that our answer to the second question was "No." However, in order to answer "No" to the second question, we had to answer "Yes" to the first, which of course, we couldn't agree on! After a lot of talking, listening, and debating, I was actually the first one to change my mind regarding my answer to the first question. Some of my fellow jury members made excellent points, and as I considered the evidence in my head, I decided that my initial decision had not been the right one. So, I changed my mind, and slowly, the rest of the jury did as well. Eventually, we answered "Yes" to the first question, "No" to the second, and we were done deliberating! After reading our answers to the judge, we were free to go home!
All in all, I really enjoyed my experience serving Jury Duty! I learned a lot about the court system, and what actually happens in a trial. I can't get called for it again for another year, and if I ever get called in the future, I'll look forward to the experience a lot more!
Next, the witnesses are called. Each witness is sworn in before it is their turn to answer questions, and sits in the witness box, next to the judge. Each lawyer gets the chance to ask questions of each witness regarding anything to do with the case, or information that may be important. Documents are often presented to the witnesses in order to prove points, or to refresh the memory of the witness. Any document that is submitted into evidence, and everything that each witness says on the stand is considered "evidence" and may be used by the jury in determining the outcome of the case. (I'm sure many of you have seen courtroom dramas on television - it is quite similar, but not always as glamorous or dramatic!)
After the lawyers are done asking questions of all witnesses, they each present their closing arguments. Again, these arguments are meant to try and persuade the jury to believe one side over the other. Just like opening arguments, these may not be used when deciding the outcome of the case. Once closing arguments are complete, the judge reads the jury the law regarding what the case is about. This is to help the jury when they are making decisions. The judge also tells the jury what information may or may not be used when discussing the case. The jury then begins the process of "deliberation."
Deliberation
For deliberation, the jury is sent to the "Jury Room." They may only talk about the case in this room, and only when all members of the jury are present. Upon entering the room, the police officer in charge of the jury (called the "bailiff") gives the jury some basic information regarding the process of deliberation. For example, the jury may not speak to the bailiff, but if they want a break or need to see a piece of evidence, they may write a note to the bailiff and he will take it to the judge who then takes care of it.
Before he leaves, the bailiff gives the jury an important document, which is basically a worksheet. The worksheet contains a list of questions regarding the case, to which the jury must answer "Yes" or "No." The questions must be answered in numerical order, but once the jury decides that any answer to a question is "No," then they must stop filling out the worksheet.
Once they are alone, the jury must elect a "Jury Foreperson." This person is the moderator for discussions that the jury has, and is responsible for reading the answers that the jury decides upon to the judge. The term "deliberation" comes into play because often, the jury will not agree on answers to the questions. There is a lot of arguing among the jury, as some members try to persuade others to their way of thinking. When serving on a jury though, it is imperative that you answer as you feel is appropriate. You might be the only one with that opinion, but if you feel it is right, then you should not give in! Of course, if you are truly convinced that you were wrong, then there is no shame in changing your mind.
After the jury has reached a verdict, the foreperson writes a note to the bailiff to inform him of that fact. Then, the judge calls the jury back into the courtroom. The judge has the foreperson read each question, and the jury's answer to it. When the answer to any question is "No," then the jury's job is done! The judge has each member of the jury attest to the fact that the information presented by the foreperson is indeed their group decision, and then thanks the jury. (The judge later makes a decision regarding sentencing of parties involved in the trial based on the jury's decisions.)
My Experience
What doesn't always come across in television courtroom dramas is how much time the jury spends sitting around waiting! We arrived at about 8:30 each morning, and sometimes did not start work on the trial until 10 or 10:30! As I mentioned last time, judges are very busy people, but it did get quite boring just sitting! Luckily, I had books and puzzles to work on that I brought from home. =) Then, around 12:30, we got an hour and a half off for lunch. When we came back in the afternoon, sometimes we started right away, and sometimes we waited for an hour! We went home each day at 4:30.
Our trial lasted from Monday afternoon until Wednesday evening, and we returned to the courthouse on Thursday for deliberation. It took us about an hour and a half to reach a decision, and did in fact involve a lot of debate. We read through the questions on the worksheet, and were split 50/50 on the first question! We continued to read through the questions anyway, and made an easily unanimous decision that our answer to the second question was "No." However, in order to answer "No" to the second question, we had to answer "Yes" to the first, which of course, we couldn't agree on! After a lot of talking, listening, and debating, I was actually the first one to change my mind regarding my answer to the first question. Some of my fellow jury members made excellent points, and as I considered the evidence in my head, I decided that my initial decision had not been the right one. So, I changed my mind, and slowly, the rest of the jury did as well. Eventually, we answered "Yes" to the first question, "No" to the second, and we were done deliberating! After reading our answers to the judge, we were free to go home!
All in all, I really enjoyed my experience serving Jury Duty! I learned a lot about the court system, and what actually happens in a trial. I can't get called for it again for another year, and if I ever get called in the future, I'll look forward to the experience a lot more!
NEXT TIME ON POLITICAL PARTY...
What shall we talk about next time? This week, my theme is to leave it to my readers! Want to know the political situation in your favorite country? Got a question regarding politics? Let me know! If you don't submit anything, I'll be forced to surprise you! =)
Hey everyone! My name is Kaitlin, and I'm a 23 year old from Michigan, USA. I'm a graduate student currently studying at the University of Michigan. I live in a house with 6 other girls, 2 cats (Ivan and Jimmy) that don't belong to me, and two dwarf hamsters (Scruffie and Star) that do!
Currently, I write for Master Chef and Political Party. I love writing, and to be able to write about such varied and interesting topics just makes my day. I hope you enjoy my columns, and please feel free to let me know what you think anytime! I love hearing from my readers!
Kaitlin's comment: Thanks, Lana! I hope you enjoy this week's column, which is the conclusion of my experience with serving Jury Duty.
Last time, I wrote about how juries are selected. This week, it's all about the trial! Read on to find out what happens during the course of a trial, and what the jury is responsible for...